12. Project N1 : Baursak

What is that BAURSAK?

"Baursak is a delicious puffy fried bread served on special occasions all over Kazakhstan. This isn’t an everyday bread, but something for an important party, like a wedding, or even a memorial. It is said that the smell of the oil and the frying baursak floats high into the sky so that your dead loved ones can feed on the aroma and enjoy them with you. It’s a beautiful thought as you fry."

This is description about what Baursak is, but for me the first thing about what I was thinking it is "Unity". From Kazakh language "Baursak" translates like "The Desire for UNIFICATION".

This is the short video brief about Baursak in Kazakhstan.

From ancient times, Baursak is considered the bread of all Turkic people, tribes. Such bread was easy to make without the use an oven. It was enough to fry it on fire. Also Since Baursak’s slogan is “The desire for unification”, when the guests were invited to the house, it was Baursak which was the obligatory treat. As a symbol of hospitality and association of people.

Baursak is the symbol of hospitality among nomadic people. This traditional fried dough is usually served during holidays and treated to honoured guests.

The history of this dish is associated with the nomadic lifestyle that Turkic peoples had. Baursaks are incredibly popular in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other Turkic countries. They are also served with koumiss (Kazakh fermented milk drink). During the holidays it was used for shashu (the custom of throwing them with a handful of guests), was given as a gift (sarkyt). Several types of this incredible bread :

Shi Baursak

Baursak Tush

Sour Baursak

Baursak-Barmak

Flat baursak

Road baursak

Woven Baursak

But mostly Why did I choose especially this bread,

This is due to my roots, where I was born and who I am by nationality and blood.

I really love my country, my nation and appreciate the childhood where Baursak was a lively delicacy for me.